[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 75 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E723-E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF MR. WILLIAM ``BILL'' CLEMENS

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2015

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. 
William ``Bill'' Clemens,

[[Page E724]]

who passed away peacefully on April 24, 2015. Bill was born to his 
loving parents Lewis and Ina Walker on May 5, 1925. He was raised in 
Southern Illinois where he attended a one-room schoolhouse, and while 
attending school he began working in his father's general merchandise 
store in Grantsburg, IL as well as his father's furniture store in 
Vienna, IL.
  Bill was very successful in his schooling having graduated from 
Vienna Township High School in 1942, Northwestern University in 1945, 
and the Harvard Business School's Mid-Officer Certificate program for 
Navy Supply Corps Officers in 1945. Bill was very kind and hardworking 
but above all else, he loved his family and they were his most prized 
possession. For all who knew Bill, one of his proudest achievements in 
life had been serving as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed 
as Commissary Officer on Guam, until he was honorably discharged in 
1946. Bill later dedicated over 32 years, working for General Electric 
(GE) in computer systems until finally retiring in 1988. Bill was 
passionate about cooking, photography, writing, and working with 
computers.
  On January 16, 1955 Bill married Ms. Joyce (Harkins) Walker in 
northern Georgia and later the pair welcomed their son Jeffrey and 
daughter Nancy. After Joyce's passing, Bill married BettyAnn Walker in 
1997. The pair lived in Naples, Florida until his passing this year. 
Bill is preceded in death by his father Lewis; mother Ina; wife Joyce; 
and his two brothers Newton and James. He leaves behind his wife 
BettyAnn; son Jeff; daughter Nancy; sister Elizabeth; and seven 
grandchildren. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Bill's 
entire family. He was a great man whose legacy will continue to live 
on, and he will be missed.

                          ____________________